PM Modi-Biden bilateral ahead of G20 Summit: What will the two leaders discuss?

Diplomacy is the flavour of the weekend as world leaders flock to New Delhi for the G20 Summit. Amid all the action will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Before the gathering of the bloc, come the bilaterals, the most significant being the meeting with US president Joe Biden.

The American leader left for India on Thursday and will arrive in the National Capital on Friday evening. He will be welcomed by Union minister General VK Singh (Retd) and then hold talks with PM Modi. The Indian premier is expected to host a private dinner for Biden at the Lok Kalyan Marg residence, where they will meet around 7.30 pm.

This is Biden’s first trip to India as US president. It comes three months after Modi’s state visit to Washington.

During PM Modi’s US visit on 22 and 23 June, the two leaders discussed several matters of importance – from jet engines to drones, from visas to consulates, and more – and are now expected to move ahead on what was agreed upon. The Russia-Ukraine war and the divide over it among members of the G20 will also be a part of the discussions.

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Small nuclear reactors

India-US civil nuclear cooperation is expected to be among the top agendas during the Modi-Biden bilateral in New Delhi. It could add momentum to negotiations between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and US-based Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) for the construction of six nuclear reactors – each with 1100 MWe generation capacity – at Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh, according to a report by Deccan Herald.

The two countries signed a nuclear deal in October 2008 but India’s nuclear liability law has been a concern of America. Washington is now looking at options on how to work with New Delhi on the matter.

PM Modi and President Biden “welcomed intensified consultations between the US DOE [Department of Energy and India’s DAE [Department of Atomic Energy] for facilitating opportunities for WEC to develop a techno-commercial offer for the Kovvada nuclear project. They also noted the ongoing discussion on developing next-generation small modular reactor technologies in a collaborative mode for the domestic market as well as for export,” the joint statement released at the end of PM’s June visit said.

Now the two sides are looking to take the next steps.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss bilateral cooperation in developing next-generation small modular nuclear reactor technologies for the domestic market and export. The subject was briefly discussed at the White House on 22 June. A nuclear pact on small reactors is on the cards in New Delhi, according to media reports.

The jet engine deal

Discussions on the jet engine deal, which was in the spotlight during PM Modi’s visit to the US, will continue.

This deal allows GE Aerospace to transfer 80 per cent of its technology to India for the production of F414 fight jet engines. This transfer of tech aims to enhance the performance of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) MKII. The pact entails the joint production of F414 engines in India under the Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 programme, reports India Today.

Last week, the US Congress gave a go-ahead to the Biden administration to pursue the jet engine deal with India. Now the two nations hoping to finalise the conclusion of the deal.

India has plans to procure the highly powerful drones, MQ-9B HALE UAVs. A discussion on setting up General Atomics’ Comprehensive Global MRO facility in India is expected, according to a report in The Indian Express.

Easing of visas and new consulates

During PM’s visit, the in-country renewal of H-1B visas was announced. This would help thousands of Indian professionals staying in the US to continue working without the hassle of leaving the country to renew their work visas.

A launch date for this programme is expected to be announced and finalised during Biden’s India visit, The Indian Express reports.

Two new US consulates are expected to come up in India – in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. India is expected to open a consulate in Seattle. An announcement on two new consulates in the US is expected when the two leaders meet later in the week.

The Russia-Ukraine war

The Russia-Ukraine conflict will feature prominently in the discussion. The joint communique at the Summit is in the spotlight as G20 members remain divided over the war. While the US-led G7 has been critical about the war, India has taken the middle ground, and China is seen to side with Russia.

Ahead of Biden’s visit, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “We commend Prime Minister Modi for his leadership of the G20 this year and we are committed to helping ensure that India has a successful G20 host as they host (the Summit) this year.”

The US hoped that all the countries would sign the joint declaration but also signalled that it is difficult to get a consensus as countries like Russia and China are less likely to “sign on” it.

On Thursday, John Kirby, National Security Council (NSC) coordinator for strategic communications, also pointed out that the G20 summit may also end without a joint declaration as Russia and the West continue to spar over the Ukraine war among other issues, reports ANI.

Reforms of multilateral development banks

During his India visit, Biden is expected to push for reforms of multilateral development banks (MDBs) with a proposal that enhances the financial capability of these institutions. This will help address the challenges of poverty elimination, boosting prosperity and addressing the climate crisis, according to a report in Hindustan Times.

With inputs from agencies